European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will participate in today's extraordinary European summit on Ukraine in Paris, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The forum will take place at a time when European leaders are rushing to develop a strategy in response to US President Donald Trump's initiative to reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In addition, fears are growing in Europe that the US will reduce its military presence on the continent.
"European security is at a turning point," wrote Von der Leyen on the social network "Ex" after arriving in the French capital. "Yes, this concerns Ukraine, but also us", added the EC President. "We need to prepare for the emergency. We need a sharp reinforcement of defense. And we need these two things now", stressed Von der Leyen.
"This is the beginning of a process that will continue with the inclusion of all partners committed to the peace and security of Europe", Costa wrote, for his part, on the social network "Ex". "The EU and its member states will play a central role in this process", added the President of the European Council.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the United Kingdom and Europe were facing a "generational challenge" and that "they must do more". Earlier today, the British leader expressed his readiness to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.
"Obviously the immediate issue is the future of Ukraine and we must continue to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, whatever happens next," Starmer told reporters in Bristol before leaving for Paris. The prime minister added that all participants in the meeting wanted peace, but that they also wanted to make sure that the peace would be lasting.
Meanwhile, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that the EU was not authorized to make decisions on sending foreign troops to Ukraine, Reuters reported.
"The EU is not authorized to make decisions on the participation of foreign troops (in peacekeeping operations) on the territory of another country," Fico said in a statement released by his office. The Slovak Prime Minister noted that the issue of sending troops to Ukraine falls within the competence of the UN or bilateral agreements and that this is "a topic that the EU has nothing to do with and should not comment on".